7 smart and sassy crime fiction writers dish on writing and life.
It's The View. With bodies.

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Welcome Ausma Zehanat Khan!

INGRID THOFT

Last fall in Toronto I sat waiting for the opening ceremony at Bouchercon to begin. I don't like to wait, but in this instance, I hoped the delay would continue given that I was sitting next to Ausma Zehanat Khan. Ausma and I first met through social media and then were on a panel together at the Tucson Festival of Books. Everything that I had surmised about her from her books was born out in person: Ausma is smart, talented, kind, and funny. She also has a Ph.D. in international human rights law with a research specialization in military intervention and war crimes in the Balkans and writes fantastic, thought-provoking mysteries. I'm so happy she is joining us today on Jungle Reds!

INGRID THOFT: I love your protagonists, Inspector Esa Khattak and Sergeant Rachel Getty, who are members of Canada’s Community Policing Team. What is it about these two characters in particular that made you want to tell their story?

AUSMA ZEHANAT KHAN: Thank you, Ingrid! I wanted to write Esa because I hadn’t seen a character like him in crime fiction before—he’s a devout Canadian Muslim, and I’ve portrayed him in ways that people don’t expect to see someone of his background. He’s handsome, charismatic, thoughtful—a bit reserved, because I have always loved the archetype of the sexy, brooding detective—but it’s his faith that grounds his actions and his view of his job. In the real world, there is a lot of prejudice against a person like Esa, and writing him as I have was a way for me to tackle bigotry head-on.

With Rachel, there’s nothing I love so much as characters who have suffered adversity but find a way to push through. Rachel comes from this truly dysfunctional family background, and she’s in a male-dominated field where she’s faced setbacks and been diminished in ways that her male colleagues haven’t experienced—ways that speak to this #metoo moment. But though Rachel is far from perfect, she doesn’t give up on herself—through trial and repeated error, she’s been getting herself on her feet. And then she’s so different from Esa, that creatively it’s been really rewarding to figure out the parameters of their relationship.IPT: The latest book in the series, "A Dangerous Crossing,” focuses on the refugee crisis in Europe, specifically on the flight of Syrian refugees to the Greek Islands. How did you choose this particular issue as the focus of the book?

AZK: My cousin, who has quite a globe-trotting job, introduced me to an amazing young volunteer who’d been on Lesvos. I did a long interview with this volunteer that made me realize that no matter what I’d been seeing on the news, I wasn’t even close to having the full picture of conditions in the camps on the islands, or of the overwhelming scale of the crisis. The Greek islands are a perfect microcosm of the different dimensions of the refugee crisis: the many dangers of the journey, the kindness or cruelty of strangers, the inadequate response by both international organizations and national governments, and the very human moments that spring up in these extreme circumstances that we may not expect.

One thing that struck me when my first book, “The Unquiet Dead," came out, is how many readers responded to the book by telling me that they knew very little about the genocide that followed upon the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Now we’re seeing atrocities on a much greater scale in Syria. I wanted to write about these crimes while they were ongoing to try and provide some context to the refugee crisis, and to clarify the realities we often find difficult to grasp. I hoped I could do my small part to engage on these issues with some immediacy.IPT: You have a Ph.D. in international human rights law with a research specialization in military intervention and war crimes in the Balkans. How did you make the transition from academia to fiction?

AZK: It wasn’t easy to give up teaching, which I loved, but I felt the administrative side of my job was keeping me from focusing on the things that were important to me about my work. And the academic point of view often insists on this perceived sense of neutrality as a code for objectivity—I couldn’t fit my research or my point of view into that paradigm. I wanted to write more boldly and without that equivocating language. I also wanted to reach a broader audience. I’d been writing fiction all my life, and there finally came a period where I was able to make the decision to make it my priority. But because I’m writing about the issues that concern me, I’m still doing the work that matters most to me.

IPT: What has surprised you most about being a published author?

AZK: In a really great way, I’ve been surprised by how supportive and generous the community of crime writers is. So many writers have taken the time to educate or encourage me—it’s been such a tremendous help, and I’m truly grateful.

IPT: Some readers may not know that your first fantasy novel, “The Bloodprint” was recently released to rave reviews. I’m a fan of the tagline on the front: “The only defense against the ignorance of men is the brilliance of powerful women.” Is there a wannabe book lurking in the back of your brain, something you would write if you didn’t have to consider agents, editors, and fans? A romance? Non-fiction?

AZK: Thank you so much for that nod to “The Bloodprint”. There is a book I have always wanted to write about a human rights crisis I won’t name. A war of aggression broke out and during the course of an attack on civilians, an entire extended family was destroyed. Its only surviving member was a nine-year-old girl. I want to write the story of that girl. What happened to her after her family was murdered? Who did she grow up to become—and how does she view the world after her experience of tragedy and exile? I don’t think I’m done with the subject of the politics of borders or the horrors of ultra-nationalism. I write about these things, but this little girl lived them. I’m not sure yet if this would be fiction or non-fiction.

Isn't the UK cover gorgeous?

PS: I would also love to write romance. I write romantic scenes for my books all the time that never make it into the final version because they distract from the story too much. But they’re buried somewhere in the files on my computer!

Ausma will be here to answer your questions and is giving away a copy of "A Dangerous Crossing." Join us in the comments!

"A Dangerous Crossing"

For Inspector Esa Khattak and Sergeant Rachel Getty, the Syrian refugee crisis is about to become personal. Esa’s childhood friend, Nathan Clare, calls him in distress: his sister, Audrey, has vanished from a Greek island where the siblings run an NGO. Audrey had been working to fast-track refugees to Canada, but now, she is implicated in the double-murder of a French Interpol agent and a young man who had fled the devastation in Syria.

Esa and Rachel arrive in Greece to a shocking scene, witnessing for themselves the massive fallout of the Syrian war in the wretched refugee camps. Tracing Audrey’s last movements, they meet some of the volunteers and refugees―one of whom, Ali, is involved in a search of his own, for a girl whose disappearance may be connected to their investigation. The arrival of Sehr Ghilzai―a former prosecutor who now handles refugee claims for Audrey’s NGO―further complicates the matter for Esa, as his feelings towards her remain unresolved.

Working against time, with Interpol at their heels, Esa and Rachel follow a trail that takes them from the beaches of Greece, to the Turkish–Syrian border, and across Europe, reaching even the corridors of power in the Netherlands. Had Audrey been on the edge of a dangerous discovery, hidden at the heart of this darkest of crises―one which ultimately put a target on her own back?

Ausma Zehanat Khan is the author of the award-winning debut novel The Unquiet Dead, the first in the Khattak/Getty mystery series. Her subsequent novels include the critically acclaimed The Language of Secrets and Among the Ruins. Her latest mystery in the series is A Dangerous Crossing. The Khattak/Getty mystery series has been optioned for television by Lionsgate, and Ausma is also the author of a fantasy series for Harper Voyager. The Bloodprint, Book One of the Khorasan Archives was published in October 2017. Ausma holds a Ph.D. in international human rights law with a specialization in military intervention and war crimes in the Balkans. A British-born Canadian and former adjunct law professor, she now lives in Colorado with her husband.

Thanks so much, Hank--you don't know how much I have always appreciated your encouragement and support--you are amazing! Ha, yes, the fantasy series was such a great change for me. I think what I probably liked most about it is that in writing the fantasies I don't have to keep all my clues and suspects straight...there are not enough post-it notes in the world to keep track of plotting these things in a mystery, don't know how you ladies do it. Crime fiction is my first love, but I love the narrative freedom that writing fantasy allows for--and I was able to do a deeper dive into history and language (two of my other great loves), and throw in more romance, to boot. That said, a little more time to write either the mystery series or the fantasies would be a gift from the gods!

I have a friend, a journalist who visited Lesvos and saw firsthand the refugee crises... it's haunted her since (and me, too, just from her telling). I'm going to have to read your books. Such a difficult topic to tackle. I congratulate you.

Thanks so much, Hallie. Kudos to your friend for being so generous with her time and abilities as to travel to Lesvos. I had the same experience interviewing volunteers and reading their blogs...a lot of the details in "A Dangerous Crossing" come from little things they told me. One of the things that surprised me most was when one volunteer on Lesvos answered a question I had asked about what is needed most on the islands, by saying: "Translators." Another amazing discovery was how many medical school and dental school students came to the islands to offer free services in their off-time.

Ausma, I so admire (and envy) your ability to tell these bitter truths wrapped in story. This is the best and highest use of fiction, to show social injustices in a human way, with characters that appeal to the reader.

Karen, that is so kind of you, thank you so much. When I've read amazing fiction like Anthony Marra's "A Constellation of Vital Phenomena" or Chris Bohjalian's "The Sandcastle Girls", I've understood complex histories or global issues much more clearly by being able to develop a bond of empathy with the incredible characters they and others have created. I've learned a lot from them and from other writers who do similar work...whether it's writing about violence against women, or human trafficking, or teen suicide, which so many talented crime writers do, including the amazing Jungle Reds. Thank you again for your encouragement!

I'm so glad Ingrid invited you to visit here, Ausma. I have wanted to start your series for a while and this will give me a push. I agree that telling about these issues through your stories is a great way to bring them to the notice of many. I love books that entertain me, but also help me have a greater understanding of places and people that are not in my usual realm. I love travelling the world through crime novels. Congratulations on all your books. I look forward to them!

Thank you so much, Kay! Ingrid is amazing, and she is so much fun to hang out with--we had a great time doing our own running commentary at Bouchercon! Travel is definitely a big part of the appeal for me with fiction as well--both around the globe and through time, with many of the historical series I enjoy.I love that fiction can take us so far out of ourselves and that it can do so many things at once...entertain, terrify, soothe, educate, uplift, crush our hearts, make them whole again...one series I've been finding incredibly relevant these days is Rebecca Cantrell's Hannah Vogel series set in Nazi Germany...such an eye-opener!

I love fiction that uses important current issues in the story line. I am off to find your books for my (growing) TBR pile. Thanks for the reminder, Ingrid, about Ausma's books; I'm sorry I didn't meet you, Ausma, at Bouchercon in Toronto. That's a lost opportunity for me. I'll have to settle for meeting you in your books!

I should have included this in the intro, but "A Dangerous Crossing" is the fifth in the series. If you've only read "The Unquiet Dead," you have the pleasure of catching up on Esa and Rachel's investigations!

I'm one of the readers who read "The Unquiet Dead" and was shocked (and embarrassed) by how little I knew about the atrocities in the former Yugoslavia. I learned so much from the book and gained a new perspective on a manmade disaster that had happened during my own adulthood.

On a lighter note, I have a crush on Esa, so mission accomplished, Ausma. He certainly fits the bill for "sexy, brooding detective!"

Thanks for introducing me to a new (to me) author. I can't wait to get started on this series with the first one. The issue of refugees troubles me greatly, and I have greatly admired the response of individual Canadians to the Syrian refugee crisis.

Thanks so much, Melanie. The brightest spot in researching this book was the chance to speak to volunteers, sponsorship agreement holders, and NGO workers--a lot of people just like you and me, who had decided to engage personally to make a difference. They are all such inspirational people.

Ausma, The Unquiet Dead still haunts me. I clearly remember the early news reports of those times and the politicians' responses and thinking 'why aren't we helping?' The need was so clear and so urgent; it makes me ashamed of my government. Rachel is one of my favorite characters--and Esa--always interesting!

I'm intrigued by the fantasy. How did your agent react when you wrote this? Did you give her/him a heads' up first? Or were they presented with a final draft? Did your successful series in a different genre help you place this book? Or did you find yourself back at the starting gate, so to speak?

Thank you so much, Flora. I couldn't agree more, just as I think the need is even more urgent in Syria today.

I'm so glad you like Rachel and Esa, I love writing Rachel, she's so much fun to wrestle with. Re: the fantasy, I looked for an agent who would represent both series and anything else I wanted to write. So they knew upfront I wanted that, and then I sent them a complete first draft, upon request. I think having a two-book contract with SMP at the time definitely made a huge difference, and I received a lot of incredibly generous advice from my wonderful editor there. I've had plenty of rejection of plenty of books, as well. And my recent edits on the second book in my fantasy series just taught me how much more I still have to learn about writing well! But I love that process of growth--at least once the initial shock is over, lol.

Gosh, these books sound good! And sexy handsome is always appreciated. My son was in Kosovo in late 1999, early 2000, when the U.S.Army was trying to keep the peace with the NATO troops. What a mess the Balkans were/are. I cannot understand the hatred there.

Ah Pat, I appreciate your comment. The Unquiet Dead really focuses on trying to clarify what happened in the Balkans and why. There's also an Author's Note and some recommended reading. I hope it's a good read for you! And the international presence in Kosovo made a huge difference to the fate of the people of Kosovo, so your son is to be commended.

ps When I read, I really fall for the gorgeous guys...I've been in love with Deborah Crombies' Duncan Kincaid for more than a decade, so thanks for that, Debs!

Hi Ausma!! So happy to see you hear, and so happy that there is a new Esa and Rachel book! You know I'm a huge fan and I can't recommend this series highly enough--and, yes, Esa certainly fits the handsome and brooding detective mold. I'm really curious about the fantasy, too, so going to look that up now!

Thank you so much, Debs! You are such a role model to me with your incredible series, and you know how much I love Duncan and Gemma, Duncan perhaps a little *too* much. I'll be thrilled to know your thoughts on the fantasy. It's very feminist in its outlook but I indulged my desire to be surrounded by gorgeous men more thoroughly in this series, lol!

Being introduced to new authors is just one of the many bonuses of being a Jungle Reds fan! Deborah recently introduced Peter Grainger, whom I am now happily reading. I love expanding my TBR pile through this blog!

Ausma, I am so impressed with your bringing this important refugee matter to the world of fiction and realizing how many people you can reach by doing so. It is so heartbreaking to see even a glimpse of what these people suffer. And, as you pointed out, we really have no idea of just how horrendous it is from the news. I am so pleased that you are visiting the Reds today, as it's given me the opportunity to discover you and your writing. I'll be going to Amazon after leaving this blog to start my journey in reading your series. Thanks to Ingrid for bringing you to the blog today.

Kathy, thank you so much for such kind words. I agree with you completely...I think in the ensuing years, and certainly once the war crimes trials begin, we're going to hear much more about horrors we can scarcely imagine. Even after I completed work on 'A Dangerous Crossing', I was still coming across material that stuns me with the depths of its depravity. But I hope you find the book offers a little clarity.

And yes, thank you so much to Ingrid and the Jungle Reds for so graciously having me here to chat with all of you!

I am so looking forward to reading "A Dangerous Crossing" primarily because finally someone has the coueage to write about the war in Syria, about the unimaginable scale of horror and violence that continues to this day.

Thanks so much--there are far better-informed writers on Syria writing than me, but I do hope the story I wrote is worthwhile for you. In non-fiction, I recommend, Alia Malek's 'The Home That Was Our Country', and Robin Yassin-Kasssb's 'Burning Country'.

I’m late to the party (I finished my book today!!!!) but I love the premise for your book, Ausma, and I love your series. Being a part-time Canadian, I love reading about characters from there! Oh, and I am definitely looking for your fantasy novel as that is a genre I would love to try.

Jungle Red Writers has been named one of the top 101 Best Websites for Writers by Writers Digest, one of the top 50 mystery blogs by CourtReporter, and one of the top 100 creative writing blogs by Best Colleges Online